Plate Tectonics Quiz Review

What is the theory that the crust is divided into large pieces called tectonic plates that slowly move on top of the mantle?

• Plate Tectonics

• Continental

• Huge pieces of crust

• The mineralized remains of organisms

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

What are the large pieces of the Earth's crust called that were once connected but have drifted apart called?

• Plate Tectonics

• Continents

• Huge pieces of crust

• The mineralized remains of organisms

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

What term describes the slow movements of the continents on the upper, ductile part of the mantle?

• Plate Tectonics

• Continental

• Huge pieces of crust

• The mineralized remains of organisms

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

What are the mineralized remains of organisms, showing how long-lived and how their bodies were structured?

• Plate Tectonics

• Continental

• Huge pieces of crust

• The mineralized remains of organisms

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

What is the thin, solid, outermost layer of Earth; either continental (landmasses) or oceanic (ocean floors)?

• Plate Tectonics

• Continental

• Crust

• Hydrosphere

Before there was evidence from rocks and fossils, many scientists theorized that the continents were once joined together. Using ONLY maps, these scientists observed that—

• the shapes of the continents allowed them to fit together.

• weathering and erosion have reshaped the surface of the earth.

• the oceans have become smaller throughout Earth's history.

• the continents were all bordered by mountain ranges.

Which of the following provides evidence for past tectonic plate motions? Select ALL that apply.

• Matching rock type and rock formations can show the way the continents were once attached.

• Glacial evidence has been found in areas where glaciers could not exist if the continents were in their current location.

• Ancient life forms preserved as fossils can tell us what organisms existed and where they were. Matching the fossils can show that land masses were once connected.

• The directional shifting of the wind causing rain shadowing and high and low pressure resulting in the continents moving.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

The distribution of which organisms (more than one) can be used as evidence that Africa was once connected to South America?

• Lystrosaurus, mesosaurus, and glossopteris

• Cynognathus, glossopteris, and lystrosaurus

• Glossopteris, cynognathus, and mesosaurus

• Cynognathus, mesosaurus, and lystrosaurus

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

By studying the distribution of different types of fossils, geologists have determined that some plates have traveled great distances. Evidence to support this comes from the fact that-

• fossils of organisms that lived in warm climates have been found in arctic environments.

• species of organisms in the fossil record have changed over geologic time.

• some fossilized organisms have only been found on one continent.

• the oldest known fossils, found in the deepest rock layers, represent ocean organisms.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Why are the fossils of Mesosaurus found today in some rock layers in both South America and Africa?

• Because Mesosaurus could fly and thus lived on multiple continents.

• Because the rock layers containing the fossils were transported by humans.

• Because South America and Africa were once part of a supercontinent that has since separated.

• Because Mesosaurus swam across the ocean between South America and Africa.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS4-1